The Motivation
Although Rwanda has made impressive progress in lowering chronic malnutrition rates from 43% (2012) to 38% (2016), this still leaves a staggering number of Rwandan children whose futures will be limited by their present circumstances.
The Challenge
Malnutrition not only stunts physical growth, it also permanently affects brain development. A child’s ability to learn in school greatly depends on adequate nutrition and overall health.
While malnutrition results from insufficient food or lack of nutrient-rich foods, other factors also contribute to malnutrition. Often parents have insufficient knowledge on infant and toddler feeding practices, or a child suffers from recurrent illnesses due to lack of primary health care or inadequate hygiene, safe drinking water, sanitation.
The Opportunity
ASM is tackling all the above challenges in tandem with local schools, churches, and SCAs in a way that will improve immediate health & nutrition and improve long-term prospects of sustained health.
The Means
- Children’s feeding program: a minimum of one meal / week in tandem with the Saturday Bible Club.
- Waterborne Disease Prevention:
- Domestic water filters – Offer matching funds for Savings and Credit Association members who successfully save 50% of the filter’s cost.
- Training and Education:
- Nutrition: educate students and their parents about balanced nutrition.
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH):
- Provide adult training through school and SCAs as well as SCA matching grants.
- Establish school Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) clubs.
- Child and Maternal Health: provide related training and services to parents through school and SCAs.
- Primary Health Care:
- Cover health insurance premiums and other health-related expenses for extremely poor children.